Yes—believers can have joy in any circumstance because their joy is grounded in an eternal, secure relationship with Christ, not in changing conditions.
Les Feldick teaches that even in extreme poverty, believers experience 'joy unspeakable' because they have spiritual riches in Christ. He also shows that God works even difficult experiences for good, that nothing can separate believers from Christ's love, and that death only brings the believer into the presence of the Lord.
Romans 8:28 — This verse promises that all things—including hard circumstances—work together for good for believers.
Colossians 3:1-2 — It directs believers to set their affections on things above, which produces the joy of salvation.
Romans 8:38-39 — It assures that no circumstance can separate believers from the love of God in Christ.
Romans 8:28 says, 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' This promise applies to every circumstance a believer faces. Colossians 3:1-2 commands believers, 'If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.' The basis for joy is a heavenly position, not earthly comfort. Romans 8:38-39 declares, 'For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
Les Feldick explains that the believer's joy is a spiritual reality that does not depend on material conditions. He gives the example of believers in Haiti who, though living in unimaginable poverty, raised the roof with their singing because they had 'joy unspeakable.' He also teaches that God may bring hardships into a believer's life, but those hardships have a purpose—to bring the believer to the place God wants him or her to be. For the believer, all things work together for good. Les emphasizes the believer's security in Christ: nothing can separate us from His love, and this life is nothing compared to eternity. Because believers are already seated in the heavenlies and will be raised with Christ, they can face death without fear, knowing that 'the best is yet to come.' This eternal perspective is the foundation for a joy that circumstances cannot destroy.
Les Feldick recalls visiting Haiti, where believers faced poverty he says you 'can't imagine.' Yet they sang with a spiritual joy that 'just raised the roof.' He attributes this joy to the spiritual riches that have come to the Gentile world through Christ. Their joy was not tied to their physical poverty but to their standing in Christ. This shows that joy is not produced by favorable circumstances but by the indwelling reality of salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that God may bring tough things into a believer's life, but He does so for His own purpose—to bring the believer to the place He wants them. He says, 'All things work together for good to them that love God.' This gives believers a reason to rejoice even in painful experiences, because they trust that God is working all things for their ultimate good. The joy of a believer comes from this confidence, not from the absence of trouble.
Les Feldick points to the believer's secure position in Christ. He notes that Paul says nothing—not tribulation, distress, or death—can separate us from the love of Christ. He also describes the believer as already quickened with Christ and seated in the heavenlies, so that death can only kill the body, not the citizen of heaven. Because the believer is secure for eternity, present circumstances lose their power to steal joy. The hope of resurrection means 'the best is yet to come.'
Reconciliation and Resurrection
Les Feldick shows that Christ died for sin and rose again, which makes possible the reconciliation and salvation that give believers lasting joy.
God's Purpose in Hard Times
Les teaches that God brings hard experiences into our lives for His own purpose, and because all things work together for good, believers can rejoice even in trials.
Heavenly Priorities
Les uses Colossians 3:1-3 to explain that risen believers set their affections on things above, which is the practical source of the joy of salvation.
Assurance Through God's Choice
Les explains that realizing God chose us gives the believer assurance and rejoicing—we are secure in the body of Christ.
Joy Unspeakable in Poverty
Les describes Haitian believers in abject poverty who sang with spiritual joy that raised the roof, proving joy can exist regardless of material circumstances.
Nothing Can Separate Us
Les stresses that hardships can never separate us from the love of Christ, and our brief earthly life compared to eternity gives us a joyful eternal perspective.
The Blessed Hope of Resurrection
Les teaches that believers are planted with Christ in His death and will be with Him in resurrection, giving us the hope that the best is yet to come.
Already Citizens of Heaven
Les assures that believers are already quickened with Christ and seated in the heavenlies, so death cannot touch our heavenly citizenship, and we don't have to fear it.
Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
This verse is central to Les's teaching that even hard circumstances serve God's good purpose for believers.
Colossians 3:1-2: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Paul connects the believer's risen position with a heavenly focus that produces the joy of salvation.
Romans 8:38-39: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This assures believers that no circumstance can sever them from the love that underlies their joy.
Ephesians 2:5-6: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
This shows the believer's current position in heaven, which gives confidence and joy even in the face of death.
Romans 5:10: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
This verse underlies Les's point that Christ's death and resurrection secure our salvation and lasting joy.
Yes. Les Feldick gives the example of Haitian believers who, in extreme poverty, sang with 'joy unspeakable.' Their joy came from their spiritual riches in Christ, not from material wealth.
Les Feldick teaches that God may bring tough things into our lives for His own purpose, to bring us to the place He wants us to be. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good to them that love God.
Because believers are already seated in the heavenlies in Christ and have the hope of resurrection, death cannot destroy their eternal life. Les Feldick says 'the best is yet to come.'
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Adam's Sin Affect All of Us? Romans 5:10-14